On March 12, Google launched an algorithm update that was called to March 2019 Core Update.
An algorithm update is nothing substantial for Google. They make daily updates to their algorithm, sometimes multiple times per day. The results of this algorithm update have been different for users.
The average ranking of a number of websites has shifted during the update. Many users saw either a dramatic increase or decrease in average search ranking for pages at the time of this update.
Google confirmed the update on March 12 and noted that updates to the algorithm are normal and daily, mainly for minor improvements. Broad updates to the core algorithm, like the one on March 12, can lead to more dramatic shifts in ranking for pages. There is no “fix” for this, Google says, and content owners should not make drastic changes in an attempt to fix things that may not be an issue at all.
Through it all, Google puts the focus on rewarding quality content and emphasized that in a thread on Twitter. The algorithms reward good content, so even if the update had an adverse effect on rankings, it does not mean that the content was the reason and that the key focus on content marketing and SEO should remain to produce content that draws an audience and resonates with search engines.
Google also offered guidelines on how their search algorithm works and ways users can experience good results, even with the update. Here are a few of the key areas that matter to Google.
The User
Changes made to Google’s algorithm are not for the websites being listed but for the user. After all, the user is the one who is looking for something using a search engine. The goal for Google is to provide useful results that are relevant to the user searching. Therefore, all search updates and algorithm updates are run through search testing thoroughly before launching.
Engineers at Google do search experiments constantly to see what ideas can be rolled out into a live atmosphere so that Google is providing the most accurate and relevant results. Tests are even run in a live setting at times to confirm that they are ready for launch.
Site Owners
Getting listed on Google is all about being found. That’s what they do, after all. They help publishers and businesses get discovered online. This is why Google also offers tools and advice on how to rank on search engines. There are a number of support documents and videos that can help educate you on Google’s algorithms and ranking. Expert advice is available from both employees and experts outside of Google for assistance.
There are also tools that can indicate troubleshooting or performance and on-site errors for your website with advice on how to fix them so you can build a search-friendly website that performs well and ranks well. It also helps make sure that your website is safe since Google wants to promote websites that are safe and useful to its users.
Access
Google believes in providing open and free information to users and focuses on making that information available. Google’s search results are reflective of the content and opinions that are published on the web, not reflective of their beliefs or opinions.
The goal is to provide information that relates to a search, and sometimes that may include results that match closely with the language used in the search that is biased, has negative practices or may be offensive. These results are not always foolproof either, which is why updates are constantly made to try to get it right and prevent poor results that lack quality or are irrelevant to your search.
While Google made a significant update that resulted in many rankings shifts, it does not mean that you have to change the way you try to rank. Continuing to produce quality content that follows SEO practices is still the way to go.
